Outdoors for All may have started as a ski program, but we don’t sleep on summer! Our staff is bringing the energy and that quintessential, “what nostalgia dreams are made of” camp magic to life. On the surface, camp is simple; it’s all about having fun. Campers of all ages get a break from their normal day to day and experience activities catered to one goal and one goal alone, having a good time.
While having fun is certainly a core purpose, there is more to summer camp programming than meets the eye. The feeling joy campers describe to their families, friends, and loved ones isn’t an accident; it’s the result of a carefully crafted experience. Every choice our camp staff makes is meticulous and done with intention.
To be prepared to make decisions and create a positive and nurturing environment, where everyone feels safe to be their full selves, our camp staff attended a five-day long training. In this training our counselors learn not only what a day in the life of camp looks like, but also the more nuanced details that create what our campers and their loved ones see as camp magic.
Outdoors for All summer camp programs use outdoor recreation as a backdrop for a program that fosters independence, social development, fine & gross motor skills, along with the more nuanced details of what crafting camp magic really takes. Pull back the curtain with us and read about the work we are doing behind the scenes to create camp magic.
Training kicks off for our staff with driver training. The team spend their Sunday learning about our vehicles and how to safely operate the fleet. At Outdoors for All, camp doesn’t start when you are onsite; it starts when campers are dropped off at one of our four transportation locations that help make our camps more accessible for families. Having a staff that is confident and comfortable operating our vehicles (metro vans included) creates an immediate relaxed environment for both our staff and campers, not to mention making it possible for our campers to enjoy day trips around the city!
While a lot of our training focuses heavily on hard skills (kayaking, bike training, knot tying, rock climbing etc.), we also make sure to focus a large portion of our training on emotional safety. With so many personalities, needs and wants sharing one space, bumps in the road are expected. A big part of social development is learning how to cope with those bumps, the behavior and emotion regulation portion of our training is designed to give our staff the tools they need to support our campers.
We know that for many of our campers, having a well-structured and consistent schedule can really help keep stressors to a minimum. It allows our campers and staff to know what to expect now, as well as later and gives them opportunity to show up to every activity prepared. Because of this, our daily schedule at camp is highly detailed, with activity times and transitions clearly laid out. Of course every now and then unforeseen circumstances can arise that make us have to pivot, but largely, what is on the schedule is the schedule. With that said, all our counselors get to walk through a day in the life of camp so regardless of whether they are a seasoned staff member or joining us for the first time, they know camp inside and out. They also get the opportunity to participate in activities that campers will be doing in the coming weeks as they learn the ins and outs of our equipment and how to adapt to meet the needs of each camper. Our counselors even get to play kickball!
Camp magic is the feeling campers get when they try something new. It’s two people who have never met before signing up for the same week of camp and finding their new best friend. It’s spending time outdoors, swimming in the lake and hoping summer never ends. Even though it is one of the most carefree feelings in the world, there is a lot of work that goes into creating a physically and emotionally safe environment where everyone is not only welcome but encouraged to be themselves is what makes it possible.
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For general inquiries or questions regarding programs please email us at info@outdoorsforall.org.